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Learn how to form different types of questions in English, including wh-questions, yes/no questions, and questions with auxiliary verbs. Understand the grammar rules and patterns for each type of question.
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Wh- Questions allow a speaker to find out more information about topics. They are as follows:
Other words can also be used to inquire about specific information:
The "grammar" used with wh- questions depends on whether the topic being asked about is the "subject" or "predicate" of a sentence. For the subject pattern, simply replace the person or thing being asked about with the appropriate wh-word. • (Someone has my baseball.)Who has my baseball? • (Something is bothering you.)What is bothering you? • For the predicate pattern, wh- question formation depends on whether there is an "auxiliary" verb in the original sentence. Auxiliary or "helping" verbs are verbs that precede main verbs. Auxiliary verbs are italicized in the following sentences.
I can do it. • They are leaving. • I have eaten my lunch. • I should have finished my homework.
To make a question using the predicate pattern, first form a yes/no question by inverting the subject and (first) auxiliary verb. Then, add the appropriate wh- word to the beginning of the sentence.
If there is no auxiliary and the verb is "be," invert the subject and verb, then add the appropriate wh- word to the beginning of the sentence.
If there is no auxiliary and the verb is not "be," add do to the beginning of the sentence. Then add the appropriate wh-question word. Be sure to "transfer" the tense and number from the main verb to the word do.
Chapter 2: Yes/No Questions • In English, there are two basic types of questions: yes/no questions and wh- questions. • Yes/no questions are asked using be, have, do, or a modal verb. Yes/no questions always begin with one of these verbs and can be answered with a simple yes or no, or with the question repeated as a statement. • Note: It's impossible to ask a yes/no question without one of these auxiliary verbs. • He want a car? • Does he want a car? • You going to eat with us? • Are you going to eat with us?
BE • Use the verb be to ask about identity, description, location, and present or past activities and situations. • Identity / Description • You can use be plus a noun or adjective to ask about the identity or description of a person, place, or thing.
Location • Be plus a prepositional phrase asks about present or past location.
Current activity / situation To ask about a current activity or situation, use the present progressive: present tense of be + present participle (verb+ing). • Am I going with you and Tom? • Yes (you are). • Is England adopting the euro? • No (it isn't). • Are we seeing a play tonight? • Yes (we are). • Is she working today? • No (she isn't).
Past activity / situation To ask about a past activity or situation, use the past progressive: past tense of be + present participle. • Was it raining? • Yes (it was). • Was Anna cooking? • No (she wasn't). • Were the prisoners rebelling? • Yes (they were). • Were they singing? • No (they weren't).
Past event To ask about something that happened to someone or something, use the passive voice: past tense of be + past participle (verb + ed or en): • Was he given a reward? • Yes (he was). • Was I chosen? • No (you weren't). • Were you driven home in a taxi? • Yes (we were). • Were dinosaurs killed by meteors? • No (they weren't).
HAVE Use the verb have to ask if some action has taken place or whether somebody has done something. • Notice that the auxiliary verb have is in the present tense* and the main verb is always a past participle. • Has your brother left? • No (he hasn't). • Have you flown before? • Yes (I have). • Has the party started? • Yes (it has). • Have the guests eaten? • No (they haven't). • *It is possible to ask a yes/no question with had, but this is done in very specific situations and will be explained in a future lesson.
DO Use the verb do to obtain facts about people, places, or things. • Do is always followed by the subject and then a verb in the infinitive without to. • Do they smoke? • No (they don't). • Does Bogotá get cold? • Yes (it does). • Did it work? • No (it didn't). • Do flying fish really fly? • No (they don't). • Does running hurt your knees? • Yes (it does). • Did teaching challenge you? • Yes (it did).
MODALS Use modal verbs to obtain more information about possibilities or uncertainties. Modals are always followed by verbs in the infinitive without to. • Can we stay? • Yes (we can stay). • Could this be true? • Yes (it could be true). • Should they stop? • No (they shouldn't). • May I help you? • Yes (you may). • Will it rain? • No (it won't rain). • Would you go with me? • Yes (I would).
Remember: When asking a question with do or a modal verb, the main verb remains in the infinitive without to. • Do you to drink coffee? • Do you drink coffee? • Does she to work here? • Does she work here? • Can I to go with you? • Can I go with you? • Should we to email her? • Should we email her?
However, if there are two verbs in the infinitive after do, the second infinitive must use to. • Do you want drink coffee? • Do you want to drink coffee? • Does she like work here? • Does she like to work here? • Did you need go home? • Did you need to go home?
Remember: It's impossible to ask a yes/no question without an auxiliary verb. • He know your phone number? • Does he know your phone number? • They returning today? • Are they returning today? • Note that there are several ways to answer yes/no questions, especially with contractions. • Is he busy? • No. • No, he isn't. • No, he's not. • No, he is not. • No, he isn't busy. • No, he's not busy. • No, he is not busy.
Chapter 3: Past tense • Explanation • 1. The simple past tense is expressed with the past form of the verb and nothing else. • My grandfather died last year. (C)My grandfather was died last year. (I)My grandfather has died last year. (I) • 2. The simple past tense refers to • a. action which occurred at a specific time in the pastb. completed actionc. past status
Examples Specific past action • I ate lunch at noon today.He drove to work yesterday. Completed action • She finally mailed the letter.Jan finished her report on time. Past status • John was still single in 1995.Jane was a movie star.
Chapter 4: Infinitives Infinitivesare defined as to + base form of the verb. They have several functions. 1. Used as subjects and subject complements. • To know me is to love me. • To live in Hawaii is my lifetime dream. 2. Used as objects following certain verbs*. • I wanted to tell you how much I appreciated your gift. • He hesitated to ask the embarrassing question. 3. Used as a shortened form of in order to. • You must take this medicine (in order) to get well. • I went to the bank to cash a check.
Infinitives can sometimes take objects of their own. • We hope to find the person who did this. • I was asked to make a dessert for the potluck dinner.
Chapter 7: Gerund Gerunds are defined as the -ing form of a verb. They have several functions. 1. Used as subjects and complements • Skiing is my favorite sport. • Hiking can be very strenuous. • Seeing is believing 2. Used as objects following prepositions and prepositional expressions • Thanks for tending my children. • The job consists of typing, filing, and answering the phone. 3. Used as objects following certain verbs*. • The children enjoyed watching the parade. • Ms. Terrell avoided paying her taxes until it was too late.
Gerunds can sometimes take objects of their own: • Roland is afraid of making mistakes. • Sandy is considering leaving New York.
*The verb stop is followed by either a gerund or an infinitive, depending on meaning. • I stopped smoking (meaning “I no longer smoke”) • He stopped to light his pipe (meaning”He stopped doing something else in order to light his pipe”) • **Notice that the verb phrase, can’t help (eaning “can’t prevent” or can’t stop”) is used with gerund. • His jokes are so funny that I can’t help laughing at them • I couldn’t help overhearing your comment • ***The verb go is followed by the –ing form of many “activity verbs”: go shopping, go dancing, go skiing, go bowling and others
Chapter 8: Comparisons • The Comparative Form for Adjectives
There are some exceptions: good, bad, far, and fun are adjectives that don't follow the rules when making the comparative form. good - better Bad - worse Far - farther fun - more fun
Never use two comparatives together on an adjective: • more cheaper • more noisier • more older
The Superlative Form; (differences in 3 + things or 3 + people)
There are some exceptions: good, bad, far, and fun are adjectives that don't follow the rules when making the comparative form. good - best bad - worst far - farthest fun - most fun
Never use two superlatives together on an adjective: • most cheapest • most noisiest • It's often necessary to use "the" in front of the superlative:
Comparative Adverbs • Adverbs in the comparative form describe verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. • Adverbs usually end in "ly" • Making the comparative form for adverbs is not as easy as making the comparative form for adjectives. Remember, most adverbs end in "ly," so most adverbs are two-syllable words; therefore, you will usually use "more" in front of the adverb to make the comparison. • Many Americans ignore the rules for comparative adverbs, but you should still learn how to use them properly.
so most adverbs are two-syllable words; therefore, you will usually use "more" in front of the adverb to make the comparison. • Many Americans ignore the rules for comparative adverbs, but you should still learn how to use them properly.
A subway train can get you through the city more quickly than a bus. • ("more quickly" describes the verb "get." "Get" is a verb.) • A laptop computer allows her to do her work more efficiently.
Superlative Adverbs • Adverbs in the superlative form describe verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. • Adverbs usually end in "ly" • Making the superlative form for adverbs is even more difficult than the comparative form. Many Americans avoid doing it, so you might not hear it used very often.
Example: • He rides his bike most frequently in the morning. • She is most likely to become a doctor after she finishes med school. • Birds sing most beautifully in the morning.
Some adverbs don't use "ly" endings. For these words, just add "est." • They play well together, but they play best when they're under pressure. • They perform the worst on the field when they don't practice. • John is the hardest working player on the team. • Burt runs the fastest, so he's a wide receiver.
Chapter 9: Transitional Words Illustration • Thus, for example, for instance, namely, to illustrate, in other words, in particular, specifically, such as. Contrast • On the contrary, contrarily, notwithstanding, but, however, nevertheless, in spite of, in contrast, yet, on one hand, on the other hand, rather, or, nor, conversely, at the same time, while this may be true. Addition • And, in addition to, furthermore, moreover, besides, than, too, also, both-and, another, equally important, first, second, etc., again, further, last, finally, not only-but also, as well as, in the second place, next, likewise, similarly, in fact, as a result, consequently, in the same way, for example, for instance, however, thus, therefore, otherwise. Time • After, afterward, before, then, once, next, last, at last, at length, first, second, etc., at first, formerly, rarely, usually, another, finally, soon, meanwhile, at the same time, for a minute, hour, day, etc., during the morning, day, week, etc., most important, later, ordinarily, to begin with, afterwards, generally, in order to, subsequently, previously, in the meantime, immediately, eventually, concurrently, simultaneously.
Space • At the left, at the right, in the center, on the side, along the edge, on top, below, beneath, under, around, above, over, straight ahead, at the top, at the bottom, surrounding, opposite, at the rear, at the front, in front of, beside, behind, next to, nearby, in the distance, beyond, in the forefront, in the foreground, within sight, out of sight, across, under, nearer, adjacent, in the background. Concession • Although, at any rate, at least, still, thought, even though, granted that, while it may be true, in spite of, of course. Similarity or Comparison • Similarly, likewise, in like fashion, in like manner, analogous to. Emphasis • Above all, indeed, truly, of course, certainly, surely, in fact, really, in truth, again, besides, also, furthermore, in addition. Details • Specifically, especially, in particular, to explain, to list, to enumerate, in detail, namely, including.
Examples • For example, for instance, to illustrate, thus, in other words, as an illustration, in particular. Consequence or Result • So that, with the result that, thus, consequently, hence, accordingly, for this reason, therefore, so, because, since, due to, as a result, in other words, then. Summary • Therefore, finally, consequently, thus, in short, in conclusion, in brief, as a result, accordingly. Suggestion • For this purpose, to this end, with this in mind, with this purpose in mind, therefore
Chapter 11: Embedded Questions An embedded question is contained within a statement or a question. The important thing here is word order: • 1. I don't know where the library is. • 2. Do you know where the library is? • compare to: • 3. Where is the library? The first two examples show an embedded question. The word order is subject and then verb. The third example is just a regular question in which the word order is verb and then subject. In this lesson, we will learn about how to make questions and statements that have questions within them.
Frequently these are used in conversation: • What does this taste like? • I don't know what it tastes like. • Do you know what it tastes like? • Where did you buy this cake? • I can't remember where I bought it.
Where did they move to? • I have no idea where they moved to. • Does anyone know where they moved to? • Why do leaves change color in the fall. • I don't know why they change colors. • Is there a website that can explain why leaves change color in the fall?
How long has she been gone on her trip. • I'm not sure how long she's been gone. • Does anyone know how long she's been gone? • How much did you pay for those shoes? • I'm not sure how much I paid for them. • Does the receipt show how much I paid for them?
